Thursday, 10 January 2008

Stephen Hawking joins fights against cuts

Stephen Hawking has added his name to the 10,500-strong Downing Street petition against cuts in physics and astronomy. Prospect, the scientists' union has warned that the cuts (due to a Science and Technology Facilities Council £80 million funding shortfall) could result in hundreds of public-sector scientists losing their jobs and the privatisation of major public research facilities. Many worry that a review on the health of physics, commissioned by DIUS, to be held by the Parliamentary Select Committee which shadows DIUS on 21 January, comes too late to save their subjects.

These plans are amidst a three year effort to save £120 million pounds following the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.